September 01, 2008
Is there any such thing as an enema for a kitten about eight weeks old?
Posted by: Peg : Category: Enema
She was abused in the local dog and was only fedl large chuncks of adult dog food All other problems with her have been addressed and fixed but this is the only problem remaining. She has had a bowel movement but it is VERY hard and seems like it has small pebbles in it. I have heard of enemas for dogs and have given one to some puppies but not kittens. Really need to know ASAP!!!
It's something a vet must check out. If she needs an enema that's for a professional to decide.
You must find the CAUSE of the hard stool which probably can be corrected with diet.
July 8th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Elimination
Premature kittens sometimes experience problems having bowel motions, as their bowels are often underdeveloped and uncoordinated. Just as with full-term kittens, premature kittens should have a bowel motion at least once every two days. Sometimes, even a cotton ball can be too rough for the delicate skin around his bottom. Instead, get a small stream of warm water going at the sink, place his bottom in the stream and using your other hand, stimulate him with the index finger. Make sure your nails are short. Sometimes kittens will not produce a bowel motion if they feel that the cotton ball or tissue you are using is too harsh on their bottom. Your finger is the softest thing you can use to stimulate him. Dry him well and make sure he doesn't become chilled.
If the kitten becomes restless and cranky or his abdomen looks distended or bloated, he may be constipated. Go to this link and follow the advice on what to do if your kitten is constipated.
You can also use a massage technique to try and get his bowels moving. After a feed, lay him on his back and gently massage his abdomen in small circles with your thumbs. Massage his tummy and sides, right up near his spine. What you're doing is mimicking the peristaltic (wave-like) motion that the stomach and bowels use to move the food along. You need to do this for as long as he'll let you. Make sure you massage close to his anus with your thumbs so it begins to connect with the messages from the bowels. Finally, take his little back legs and alternately straighten and bend each one in a cycling motion.
If the kitten still doesn't have a bowel motion, he needs to see a vet. The vet can give the kitten an enema, which is often a successful way of relieving the blockage. Some kittens will need several enemas until their bowels start working properly. Never try to give the kitten an enema yourself.
References :
http://www.kitten-rescue.com/premature_kittens.html
July 8th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
It's something a vet must check out. If she needs an enema that's for a professional to decide.
You must find the CAUSE of the hard stool which probably can be corrected with diet.
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July 8th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I would not recomend it !!
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July 8th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Try gently rubbing her behind with a warm, wet dishrag. This is what I had to do with kittens rescued from inbred, abusive mother cats, still just kittens themselves.
A good momma cat licks her kittens to get their movements going and to keep them regular. Since you're not momma kitty, and probably don't feel like putting your tongue there, this would be your best bet.
You can also try "Laxatone" or something similar. Most pet stores, and even some grocery stores & WalMarts carry a product that helps soften stool & pass hairballs. It comes in a tube that looks like toothpaste, and most cats love the taste of it.
If that doesn't work, I would suggest the vet's office. I would be super nervous about doing this to such a little animal.
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July 8th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I agree with a lot of this, you must take it to a vet. In the meantime go get some meat babyfood and feed him some of that each day. It is very soft and will really help make future bowel movements much softer. Good Luck
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July 8th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Call a vet. Look up enema's for KITTENS but be careful. With small animals that are sick like that. If you do something unconfortable to them, they sometimes lose their will to live. Go to Petco or something but seek professional advice. I would't do it for the sake of having a situation turn bad if it doesn't work or not having full knowledge of what I am doing. Remember even though it is a kitten it still has a life.
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July 8th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
No, no, no. Give her a kitty laxative, they are available from petstores.
If you cannot find that, try a blob (Small) of butter or marge to help move things along, and remember, her diet needs water, something dry food does not have, so cut out the dry food, and stick to either raw meat or just wet tinned foods.
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